CHIEF, REHABILITATION SERVICES
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief, Rehabilitation Services is a competitive state title, the kind you test for: the exam result, not a hiring manager's pick, decides where you land in line.
You can qualify with a master's degree or, if you do not have one, by piling up more experience instead. Pay on the FY2026 schedule runs $106,547 to $157,363, and state payroll currently lists 6 people in the title, most of them at Labor.
How to apply
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Exam
This is an application to sit an exam and be placed on an eligible list for this title, not an application for a specific job. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. There may be no current vacancy behind it, and the list it produces may not be certified for months or years.
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Exam
Open to permanent employees in the competitive division who hold a qualifying lower title in the same unit. A $35 application fee applies to Non-Public-Safety announcements issued on or after 2026-02-01. Like the open competitive exam, this places you on a list; it is not itself a job offer.
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Agency posting
Department of Labor and Workforce Development's employment page may require a click-through to see specific openings. Provisional appointment against a posted vacancy is how most people are actually hired into this kind of title.
Who employs this title
State payroll records show 6 people working under this title. The median actual salary is $147,200. The agencies employing the most are:
- Labor (6)
Counts from NJ YourMoney agency payroll. See statewide workforce analytics.
Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator.
Definition
Under the direction of a director or other administrative official in a state department, institution, or agency, manages the resources and operating budget of an operational unit; provides direction to personnel responsible for the administration, planning, auditing, development, establishment, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of rehabilitation programs; directs the operating activities of field service offices; manages staff and work activities; prepares and signs official performance evaluations for subordinate staff; does other related duties as required.
Examples of work
Provides direction and coordinates staff functions to develop, establish, and/or implement rehabilitation planning and program development; the state/federal plan of operations; research and demonstration projects; staff training; and program audits and evaluation. Conducts studies to determine the proper utilization of available staff and other resources. Provides direction to staff to ensure compliance with timeframes and other requirements of grant stipulations. Initiates, reviews, and prepares reports of program evaluation studies required to determine the quality and effectiveness of various program activities; prepares critical analysis for corrective action. Supervises the investigation and resolution of complaints regarding program services. Analyzes, edits, and prepares comments on federal program rules, regulations, program directives, and announcements. Obtains and directs the distribution of information and resources associated with employment, labor market, trends, and research. Prepares and supervises the preparation of justifications to obtain additional grant monies to supplement vocational rehabilitation services. Reviews and analyzes the impact of pending rules, regulations, or legislation on agency operations; may assist in the development of legislation. Manages the work operations and/or functional programs, and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees. Prepares clear, sound, accurate, and informative reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Supervises the maintenance of essential records and files. Researches and prepares standards for vocational rehabilitation programs. Develops and maintains a plans in conformance with federal and state guidelines. Designs and maintains the plans needed to evaluate the performance and effectiveness of services provided at the vocational rehabilitation facilities. Develops and recommends policy for the provision of vocational rehabilitation services delivered through facilities and the Extended (Sheltered) Employment Program. Coordinates all field office operations and statewide services. Monitors budget and expenditures. Prepares information required for agency budget requests. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with other agencies interested or involved in the work of the unit. Exercises administrative direction over the agencies case review system. Analyzes statewide population shifts and provides recommendations regarding locations of offices and staffing patterns where appropriate. Reviews and analyzes local office operations and identifies areas in need of improvement. Provides guidance to technical and administrative staff. Will be required to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related unit.
License
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the purpose and functions of rehabilitation facilities and workshops in the rehabilitation process. Knowledge of theories and practices in the field of vocational rehabilitation. Knowledge of the methods and techniques used to plan and develop rehabilitation employment and training programs. Knowledge of the psychological, vocational, socio-economic, and other related problems of individuals with disabilities. Knowledge of the programs and services required by individuals with disabilities. Knowledge of counseling methods and techniques. Knowledge of management techniques. Ability to read and interpret laws, rules, and regulations affecting program services, and apply them to specific situations. Ability to plan, direct, and evaluate staff training programs, and to participate in the coordination of activities of interrelated units. Ability to review and evaluate program services and activities and to propose revisions when necessary. Ability to manage assigned staff and plan, organize, and implement projects within the unit. Ability to prepare information for budget requests and monitor expenditures. Ability to prepare reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to keep current with trends and resources regarding training, employment, disabilities, and vocational rehabilitation. Ability to prepare cooperative agreements with other public and private agencies. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative work relationships with other agencies. Ability to prepare analyses and evaluation of staff and program progress. Ability to prepare correspondence. Ability to establish and maintain essential records, histories, and other files. Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate programs involving many diverse and interrelated activities. Ability to investigate and resolve complaints regarding program services. Ability to conduct studies of program services, operations, or related matters, and report findings and provide recommendations. Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible if they can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it may cause the employee undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Ten (10) years of professional experience in the planning, development, monitoring, and/or evaluation of employment or training programs in a vocational rehabilitation facility or agency, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, guidance, special education, or in some combination thereof. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, guidance, special education, or in some combination thereof; and six (6) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. OR Possession of a master's degree in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, sociology, social work, guidance, special education, or any field related to disabled individuals; and five (5) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgement and make accurate and informed decisions.
Study guides for this exam
- Management Test Battery (MTB) National Learning Corporation · $52.95
- Manager/Administrator Test National Learning Corporation · $49.95 · general prep, not specific to this title
The Civil Service Commission does not publish official study guides or release past tests. These are independent equivalency guides.